A67927:868
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol.…Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol.…
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 2, part 2] with an universal history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitive age to these latter times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions against the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperors, as now lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realm of England and Scotland. Newly revised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time again published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the help of Christ our Lord) John Fox, which desireth thee good reader to help him with thy prayer.Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 2, part 2] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.
London: printed by John Daye, 1583London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1583
No title page in the transcription: set from the catalogue record.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
My doctrine and my preaching you say, you have heard often, and after your judgement have thought it godly, saving only for the Sacrament, which thing although it was of me reverently handled, and a great deal better then of the rest (as you) yet in the margin you write warily, and in this world wisely: and yet me thought all sounding not well. Sir, but that I see so many changes in this world, & so much alteration, else at this your saying I would not a little marvel. I have taken you for my friend, and a man whom I fancied for plainness and faithfulness, as much (I assure you) as for your learning: and have you kept this so close in your hart from me unto this day? Sir, I consider moe things then one, and will not say all that I think. But what need you to care what I think, for any thing I shall be able to do unto you, either good or harm? You give me good lessons to stand in nothing against my learning, and to beware of vain glory. Truly sir, I herein like your counsel very well, and by Gods grace I intend to follow it unto my lives end. To write unto those whom you name, I can not see what it will avail me. For this I would have you know, that I esteem nothing available for me,1 which also will not further the glory of GOD. And now, because I perceive you have an entire zeal and desire of my deliverance out of this captivity and worldly misery, if I should not bear you a good hart in God again, me think I were to blame. Sir, how nigh the day of my dissolution and departure out of this world is at hand, I can not tell: the Lords will be fulfilled how soon soever it shall come. I know the Lords words must be verified on me, that I shall appear before the incorrupt Judge, and be countable to him of all my former life. And although the hope of his mercies is my shoot anchor of eternal salvation, yet am I persuaded, that who soever wittingly neglecteth & regardeth not to clear his conscience, he can not have peace with God, nor a lively faith in his mercy.
My doctrine and my preaching you say, you haue hearde often, and after your iudgement haue thought it godly, sauyng onely for the Sacrament, which thing although it was of me reuerently handled, and a great deale better then of the rest (as you) yet in the margent you write warily, and in this worlde wisely: and yet me thought all sounding not well. Sir, but that I see so many changes in this worlde, & so much alteration, els at this your saying I would not a litle marueile. I haue taken you for my frend, and a man whom I fansied for plainnes and faythfulnes, as much (I assure you) as for your learning: and haue you kept this so close in your hart from me vnto this day? Sir, I consider moe things then one, and wil not say all that I thinke. But what neede you to care what I thinke, for any thing I shalbe able to do vnto you, eyther good or harme? You geue me good lessons to stand in nothing against my learning, and to beware of vayne glory. Truely sir, I herein like your counsell very well, and by Gods grace I intend to folow it vnto my lyues end. To write vnto those whom you name, I can not see what it wyll auayle me. For this I woulde haue you knowe, that I esteeme nothyng auayleable for me,